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Georgia Estate Planning Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for Georgia on
Q: In Georgia, when a person dies, who has a lifetime estate, when can the new owner enter the property?

The?

Property includes a house, 2 rental trailers, and a small shop on five acres. The widow who has a lifetime estate has a son not included in the estate that lives in one of the trailers.

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Oct 10, 2024

The new owner, those who are listed as the individuals who take ownership at the time of death of the life tenant, can enter immediately upon the death of the life tenant. These individuals are known as remaindermen in legal terminology. If there is a tenant or occupant of the property that was... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Georgia on
Q: If a named beneficiary in a Will is already deceased, has no spouse and no dependents where/who does the benefits go?
James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Sep 14, 2024

It depends on whether the bequest was given in the will per stirpes or per capita. If per stirpes, the gift flows to the lineal descendants of the beneficiary - children, grand children, great grandchildren, etc. If there are no lineal descendants, the bequest goes to the residuary beneficiary in... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law, Real Estate Law and Probate for Georgia on
Q: Is a Transfer on Death Deed legal in Georgia?
James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Sep 11, 2024

Yes, as of July of 2024, transfer on death deeds are legal and enforceable in the state of Georgia. The transferee does not become an owner of the property until the death of the transferor. The transferee is required to file an affidavit within 9 months of the death of the transferor. If no... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Georgia on
Q: Contest & objection to will same? adding evidence such as a prenup to the will that was probated in Georgia contesting?
James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Sep 5, 2024

An objection to a will is known as a caveat. A prenuptial agreement, which is a contract between two parties, may affect the assets that are included in the estate. If there are items in the prenuptial agreement that should not be included in the estate, the rightful owner will need to file a... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Georgia on
Q: Contest & objection to will same? adding evidence such as a prenup to the will that was probated in Georgia contesting?
Jake  Slowik
Jake Slowik
answered on Sep 11, 2024

In Georgia, introducing a prenup as evidence to a probated will isn't automatically a contest.

Will contest: Formal challenge to will validity (e.g., lack of capacity, undue influence)

Objection: Less formal concern about specific provisions of a will or administration...
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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Criminal Law, Estate Planning and Elder Law for Georgia on
Q: Is it probate fraud to use the "no admin required" for estates above $15,00.00 in GA? 'it is a "license to steal"

I am waiting for a trial date that was moved from Gwinnett to Fayette County. I believe I've been a victim of Probate Fraud. The executor and his lawyer got me to sign a " no administration required" early on. Theses were meant to be used in small estates worth $15,000.00 or less.... View More

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Sep 3, 2024

There is no monetary limit on a No Administration Necessary filing. The only requirements are:

1. All heirs must agree to the distribution of the assets of the estate.

2. There are no debts of the estate.

3. If there are debts of the estate all creditors have consented to...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Probate for Georgia on
Q: If my mom had no will, will it be split up between my dad and I .
James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Sep 3, 2024

Yes, your mother's estate will be split according to the laws of intestacy. The split percentage depends on the number of children your mother had. If you are an only child, you and your father will each get 50%. If there were multiple children, your father will receive no less than 1/3 of the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Georgia on
Q: I am trying to find out if the executor of a will. Is allowed to hold all to 10% of the air or beneficiary Inheritance.

It is me being the youngest, my middle brother and my older brother, who is the executor over my mother's will

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Sep 2, 2024

The executor of an estate is generally entitled to compensation for their services. The amount of compensation is typically outlined in the will. If the will does not specify compensation, Georgia law allows the executor to receive a commission based on a percentage of the value of the... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: A friend's father recently died while in hospice care at a nurse home . Before he died, someone took items from his home

The person in question had a key , and in front of two deputies, claimed she had some of her property in deceased's home.. and proceeded to fill three pick-up trucks with items removed from the home . Deceased has a will, yet to be addressed, isn't illegal to remove any items until any... View More

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Sep 20, 2024

It is not illegal for a person to take property that belongs to him or her if that can be done without trespassing.

It is illegal, of course, for a person to steal from the estate, i.e. to take personal property that does not belong to him or her.

If this individual did steal from...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Georgia on
Q: Does an ex-girlfriend have standing to claim her deceased ex-boyfriend's estate? (Georgia, USA)

There is a lot of information to write down. The situation in short is my family member is dead. His girlfriend broke up with him, according to a documented police report & body cam footage, the night he died in an accident. She now provides a Living Will (Not Will & last testament) printed... View More

Cesar Mejia Duenas
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answered on Aug 22, 2024

Please note that I am not admitted to practice law in Georgia, but I found this information through a brief Google search, and the requirements in Georgia are similar to those in most states. In Georgia, for a will to be valid, it must meet specific requirements, such as being in writing, signed by... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Elder Law and Social Security for Georgia on
Q: I need to dissolve a trust and I can't pay to dissolve it unless I sue for breach of fiduciary duty's for failing to

I need my money which is not being dispersed and The fact that I need a lawyer to accomplish that makes it rather hard to pay him until I have what m hiring him for to begin with

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 8, 2024

I understand that you are in a difficult situation where you need to dissolve a trust and access your money, but you can't afford to pay a lawyer to help you do so unless you sue for breach of fiduciary duties. This is a complex legal issue that requires careful consideration. Here are a few... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Georgia on
Q: RE: Petition for Discharge of Personal Repres for my brother's estate. I am unclear what info is needed in Paragraph 4?

Only two Heirs (sons), all debt has been paid

Does an attorney need to submit this form to Probate or can I, as Executor?

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Jun 5, 2024

You can leave paragraph 4 blank on the Petition for Discharge. It will be helpful to have the heirs sign a consent to petition though. An attorney is not required to submit this form. However, it may be helpful to enlist the service of an attorney to avoid any possible issues.

Schedule a...
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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Estate Planning and Family Law for Georgia on
Q: I'm making a personal loan to my brother for divorce, car, etc. I have and continue to provide financial help to him

He barely meets living expenses so I'll not be repaid in monthly payments. He owns a home and has life insurance. He offered to list me as beneficiary on his life insurance or should we use his home? (he has adequate equity) What kind of legal document/letter do I need to ensure repayment... View More

Robert W. Hughes Jr.
Robert W. Hughes Jr.
answered on Jun 2, 2024

A written loan document giving you security in all that he owns and filing that in the records department of your court should do it. Naming you as a beneficiary of his life insurance will do it if the life insurance stays in full force.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Georgia on
Q: How do I keep the car my father bought me, without becoming executive of estate.

Hello, my father has passed away. He has a vehicle that is being financed under his business name which is no longer active. Today I attempted to get the tags registered, however I couldn’t because the business is no longer registered. My mother was married to him and I am the son with the same... View More

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Jun 1, 2024

Unfortunately, if your father's estate has debts, property cannot be transferred out of his name without paying the debts. You can try using a T-20 form at the tag office. However, there is section of the T-20 form where you have to swear under oath that the estate has no debts.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: My dad and mother share a life estate and are divorced, but they are leaving their life estate to their 3 children. The

Land is currently in one piece, not designated into 3 as to who gets which piece. My sister is wanting to build a house on her piece that she will get but my mom is refusing to designate who gets what piece because she says it will break the life estate. Will drawing up the tract and designating... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Apr 17, 2024

If Mom and Dad only have life estates, then none of their issue will get anything at their deaths. Hire a GA attorney to search that title and determine ownership. If you stated the facts correctly, then nobody wants to build on the tract. Who is the remainderman?

2 Answers | Asked in Banking, Elder Law and Estate Planning for Georgia on
Q: Bro & I have POA for 93 yr old Mom.He takes her $. Mom has to sell house to pay for care. Where put $ keep from him?

She is in asst livg. He uses credit card for her meds etc & 4 himself & checks from her SS. I live diff state. Property val near $1 m. All her cash is gone, for her care. What vehicle to use for sale proceeds ensure safety of $?

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Mar 21, 2024

If your brother is stealing from your mother, you might need to file a petition to have yourself appointed as your mother‘s conservator. Then, as conservator, you can sue your brother for the funds he stole. And, as conservator, you will have the sole right to manage her financial affairs going... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Banking, Elder Law and Estate Planning for Georgia on
Q: Bro & I have POA for 93 yr old Mom.He takes her $. Mom has to sell house to pay for care. Where put $ keep from him?

She is in asst livg. He uses credit card for her meds etc & 4 himself & checks from her SS. I live diff state. Property val near $1 m. All her cash is gone, for her care. What vehicle to use for sale proceeds ensure safety of $?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 25, 2024

In your situation, considering the need to protect your mother's finances while she is in assisted living, setting up a trust might be the most secure option. A trust can provide clear instructions on how the funds should be used, specifically for your mother's care and well-being.... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Georgia on
Q: Biological and step-parent dies with no will, does the step-child have rights to the step-parent's property in Georgia?

The step-parent has living relatives: Mom and siblings

Robert W. Hughes Jr.
Robert W. Hughes Jr.
answered on Mar 13, 2024

The simple answer is no. But, when parent died, child would be an heir to her natural parent's estate. Depending on facts of case, an equitable adoption might exist between step parent and step child that would allow for inheritance. You should see a probate lawyer about that possibility.

1 Answer | Asked in Social Security, Estate Planning, Probate and Public Benefits for Georgia on
Q: Teacher retirement benefits

If the husband dies and leaving the widow the benefits and she dies, who shall the benefits go to?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 8, 2024

When a teacher passes away and leaves their retirement benefits to a widow, the next steps regarding the benefits after the widow's death depend on the specific rules of the retirement system. Each retirement system has its own set of policies for the distribution of benefits after the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Georgia on
Q: My friend died and I paid to bury her. Can I get paid back from her estate before the money is paid to beneficiaries?

I know that she has money in the estate.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 23, 2024

In the situation where you've paid for your friend's burial expenses and you believe there are funds in her estate to reimburse you, it's important to understand the legal process for handling debts and distributions from an estate. Generally, creditors, including individuals who... View More

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